A Massachusetts roofing and siding contractor was killed last Thursday after a 40 foot fall from a roof on Cape Cod. Based on an article in the Cape Cod Times the roofer was James McNally, owner of James J. McNally Roofing and Siding of Sandwich, Ma. Mr. McNally was also a well known Cap Cod Baseball League Deputy Commissioner and umpire. The article says Mr. McNally's son made the call to report the fall.

Link to full article:

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130726/NEWS/307260335

New England (Region 1 for OSHA)                            

Deaths and injuries from falls in residential construction are all to frequent in New England. OSHA Region 1 continues to be under a Regional Emphasis Program where OSHA's education and enforcement priority is compliance with the fall protection directive. Activity posted on the OSHA website shows that there are numerous cases for suspected fall protection violations opened every month. In New England states like Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island OSHA residential contractors will likely be under increased scrutiny for the foreseeable future. Deaths like this one are what OSHA ids trying to prevent.

Contractors are required to use fall protection whenever they are exposed to fall hazards of 6 feet or more above a lower level. Workers must be trained and taught how to recognize fall hazards, use fall protection equipment and their training must be certified.

I do not know if Mr. McNally had fall protection gear on site or not or if he ever wore gear. It is truly a sad day for his family and friends who knew him. unfortunately too many contractors forgo wearing a harness or setting up guard rails to protect themselves. Many contractors claim it is inconvenient or they have been doing it the same way for years and it is too late to change now.

It is surely to late for Mr. McNally.